True Rarity Dominates Heritage FUN Sale
January 11, 2016
The Heritage Auctions FUN Sale proved that truly rare coins are still heavily coveted by high-end, advanced collectors and dealers. The 1804 Dollar, 1913 Liberty Nickel, and 1894 S Barber Dime make up the numismatic “Big Three”, the most desired coins and biggest draws in today’s major auction market. One of the Big Three was auctioned off in Florida and when the final gavel pounded, the Branch Mint PR66 1894 S Barber Dime realized $1,997,500; it is certified by PCGS and has the CAC sticker attached. This will be the center point of a major collection and satisfies the aspiration of owning the very best.

While the 1894 S Barber Dime was the highlight of the sale, there were several other top rarities that found new homes. The 1849 C $1 Gold with Open Wreath sold for $528,750; this is the finest known for this date and it is certified by PCGS as MS62. The list below contains some of the other highlights from the Heritage FUN Sale.

1849 C $1 Gold Open Wreath PCGS MS62 was sold for $528,750 at the Heritage Auctions FUN Show U.S. Coins Signature Auction in Tampa, Florida, January 6-11, 2016

Date/Denomination

Grade

PriceRealized

1793 Large Cent Chain AMERICA

PCGS AU55 CAC

$152,750

1918 D Lincoln Cent

PCGS MS67 Red

$42,300

1943 Lincoln Cent Bronze

PCGS AU58 CAC

$305,500

1792 Half Disme

PCGS MS62

$176,250

1794 Flowing Hair Half Dime

NGC SP66*

$94,000

1792 Disme

NGC F15

$329,000

1796 Draped Bust Dime

NGC MS65

$49,350

1805 Heraldic Quarter

PCGS MS65 CAC

$82,250

1873 CC Seated Dollar

NGC AU58

$37,600

1892 S Morgan Dollar

PCGS MS63

$64,625

1901 Morgan Dollar

PCGS MS64

$47,000

1802/1$2 ½ Gold

PCGS MS64+ CAC

$199,750

1804 $2 ½ Gold 13 Stars Rev.

PCGS AU55

$505,250

1879 $4 Gold Flowing Hair

PCGS PR64 DCam CAC

$176,250

1856 O $20 Gold

PCGS XF45

$235,000

1915 S $50 Gold Pan-Pac Round

PCGS MS64

$105,750

Not all collectors are looking for true rarities and a lot has changed since the 2015 FUN Show. Not only is Gold lower by $120 an ounce, the coin market does not appear to be as strong as it was at the beginning of last year. Dealers spent most of this year’s FUN Show trying to figure out where the market is for most series. Most dealers have been adjusting their prices throughout the past year and their inventories reflect the current market prices. For those dealers who have not yet adjusted to the new lower prices, they are having a difficult time moving old inventory.

Many dealers have made the transition over to the modern mint market where bullion related coins seem to be the prime focus of today’s coin buyers. The majority of the trading info on the teletypes consists of bullion coins and prices are very competitive. This serves the retail buyer well, and in the current economy, most buyers are looking for assets that have the lowest premiums.

After Gold moved over the $1,100 mark last week, we begin this week with it hovering just under, at $1,097 per ounce. One ounce Proof Gold Eagles in the original package are currently trading for $1,335 among dealers. Silver bags wholesale at $11,450 with Silver at $13.88.